Published and promoted by Paul Mercer, 58A Wards End, Loughborough LE11 3HBThis site only uses cookies in order to collect anonymous usage data for Google Analytics and StatCounter. By using this site we assume that you are happy to receive cookies.

As local councillors, Paul Mercer and Ted Parton have been consulted about

proposed changes in the centre of Loughborough.

The first relates to pedestrian improvements at the junction of Baxter Gate and

Market Place.

Leicestershire County Council has proposed a new uncontrolled pedestrian crossing

point and the realignment of another. The revised location of the uncontrolled

pedestrian crossing is to improve safety for pedestrians by increasing the visibility

for drivers along High Street. The new uncontrolled pedestrian crossing point is

designed to assist visually impaired pedestrians in particular.

These proposals seem to

be reasonable given the

number of pedestrians

crossing at these points

and did not require a

response.

The second relates to a ‘build

out’ on Swan Street to

discourage vehicles from

entering the pedestrianised

area. Removable bollards

would also be added further

along.

Again, this was non-contentious and seems to make sense.

The third, more contentious idea, is the construction of two ‘speed cushions’ on

High Street to discourage cars from taking a shortcut from Wood Gate, along High

Street and up Baxter Gate.

According to the proposal:

“Following the construction of the inner relief road and the introduction of an order

on High Street to prohibit driving except for access surveys have been undertaken

monitoring vehicle movements on High Street, these surveys show that a

significant number of drivers are contravening the order and driving through High

Street and Baxter Gate without accessing any of the properties.

“To act as a physical and visual ‘deterrent’ we propose to install two speed

cushions on High Street close to its junction with Pinfold Gate/ Wood Gate.”

In order to assess whether these ‘speed cushions’ will have any impact, Paul and

Ted monitored the traffic on a weekday and on Saturday. Only about one in ten

cars that were taking the detour had a legitimate reason – either making

deliveries, dropping people off or picking them up. The rest were simply taking a

shortcut and they included Post Office vans (which did not stop), police cars which

were self-evidently not on an emergency call and even a Leicestershire County

Council van. Curiously, the vast majority of cars were being driven by young men

and few of them were new

vehicles.

There is no parking for users of

the cinema development and the

new restaurants in Baxter Gate

and it was noticeable that those

drivers who are legitimately using

this route were largely doing so

to drop off or pick up children

and young teenagers. If these

measures did have an impact and

prevented parents from dropping

off or picking up their children it

could far more adverse safety

implications than momentarily simply slowing down traffic moving along High

Street.

Monitoring the traffic as it came along Wood Gate, it was clear why the majority of

drivers were taking this shortcut. Most of them clearly knew that it is usually

quicker to turn right, onto Leicester Road, and then drive around the new bypass

because they are not going to be delayed by buses. Therefore, most of them seem

to be driving on Wood Gate in the right-hand lane until it was clear that there was

a long line of traffic turning right, they would then change to the left hand lane and

turn left into High Street.

The question is therefore whether will be enough to discourage them from turning

left. Although it is impossible to say, it will not deter drivers from turning left who

do not know the traffic calming measures are in place because they will not see

them. It will therefore rely upon those who habitually turn left knowing that they

have been added. The problem is that those drivers who are turning left are doing

so because they know it is quicker than joining the right-hand lane and waiting for

the lights to go through a cycle and most of them appear to be turning left on a

green light.

The more seasoned drivers will also know that it is usually quicker to turn right,

onto Leicester Road, if they have a green light than navigate past buses on High

Street and Baxter Gate. None of the drivers that we witnessed were driving fast

and a speed cushion is only likely to make their journey fractionally longer and

therefore it is hard to see that it will have a deterrent effect.

Both Paul and Ted believe that these proposed speed cushions will have little or no

impact on the number of drivers who are taking this shortcut and have submitted a

letter opposing them to Leicestershire County Council as part of this consultation

process.

Paul and Ted respond to proposed

changes on Market Place

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